Punjab govt wants to 'sabotage' Minar-i-Pakistan rally: Imran.

LAHORE -- Two days ahead of the much-touted rally at Minar-i-Pakistan slated to be held on Wednesday, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said the caretaker government wanted to 'sabotage' the public gathering - which would 'also serve as a referendum against the incumbent government' - by employing delaying tactics under the cover of permission.

Asserting that democracy is being demolished, Mr Khan said that general elections in Punjab have been scheduled for April 30 but no election environment is being allowed to prevail. 'Election rallies are being attaAcked by the caretaker government and permissions for public meetings are being delayed,' Mr Khan said.

When contacted, Punjab chief secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman and Deputy Commissioner Lahore Rafia Haider stayed mum over the question regarding the permission for the public gathering.

The former premier said the delay in permission for the public meeting was aimed at eclipsing the PTI gathering as the party would not have enough time for canvassing or setting up a stage at the venue. In light of these circumstances, the public meeting might face another delay, sources said.

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While there were reports that the gathering may get postponed till Sunday, party insiders said Ramazan would have begun by Sunday and it would not be possible for the former ruling party to organise the meeting during the day time.

'Polls only solution'

In his televised address from the Zaman Park residence, Mr Khan said, 'Holding free and fair elections is the only way to steer the country out of prevailing crises and bring political stability in the country, followed by economic stability and strengthening of the society,' he asserted.

The PTI chief also chided caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi for not doing anything in a bid to ensure free and fair elections. Mr Khan also asserted that the masses would come out in massive numbers at the Minar-i-Pakistan public meeting to show their distrust against the incumbent rulers. 'My sixth public meeting at Minar-i-Pakistan venue in the past 12 years will serve as a referendum against the incumbent rulers,' he asserted.

'PTI vs army'

The former prime minister also said the PDM government was trying to pit the Pakistan Army against the PTI. 'The rulers are trying to mislead the army against PTI,' he claimed. 'The army and this country belong to us as we will live here, but...